July is UV Awareness month. UV is all around us, even on cloudy days. This radiation, which is produced by the sun, can have very harmful effects if we don’t take proactive steps to protect ourselves. And it isn’t just our skin that we need to worry about. Our eyes are the organ next most affected by UV damage. Here’s what you need to know about the importance of UV protection for your eyes.
 

Types of UV

There are actually three different types of UV radiation produced by the sun. UVC is one that we don’t have to worry about, since it can’t penetrate past our atmosphere. However, UVB and UVA can reach us. Of the two, UVB has the shortest wavelength. It is known for causing us to tan, or if we are overexposed without protection, to develop sunburn. UVB is also primarily responsible for skin cancer. UVA penetrates the body more significantly, causing cellular changes deeper within the tissues that it reaches, including the skin and eyes.

So, what does this mean for your eyes? UV light is just as harmful to our eyes as it is our skin. UVB has been proven to affect the cornea, which is the clear dome that covers the front part of our eye, causing corneal problems, distorted vision, and a painful condition called corneal sunburn. Meanwhile, UVA reaches beyond the cornea and has been linked to the development of conditions caused by changes within the eye itself.
 

Conditions caused by UV exposure

Firstly, it is important to point out that UV damage is accumulative. This means that the longer our eyes go unprotected, the more damage can be caused and the more long-lasting or permanent the effects could potentially be. You shouldn’t feel frightened to go outside having forgotten to take your sunglasses on the odd occasion, but you should make an effort to remember to protect your eyes as much as possible.

There are a number of different eye conditions that have been closely associated with prolonged/persistent UV exposure. These include the following:

Pinguecula. A condition characterized by a growth that develops in the corner of the sclera, which is the white part of the eye, usually but not always on the side by the nose. It will appear as a yellowish or white bump or lump, which is caused by a deposit of protein, fat, or calcium. Pingueculas won’t normally affect your vision, but they can be unsightly and cause discomfort.  

Pterygium. Another eye condition characterized by a growth; a pterygium can actually develop from a pinguecula. Pterygium growths are fleshy and shaped like a wedge, and while they start on the white of the eye, they can grow large enough to start to invade the cornea. If this happens, it can interfere with your vision. It can also cause scarring which could lead to permanent vision changes. Surgery is the only way to remove a pterygium, but around 50% of people experience regrowth.

Photokeratitis. This is an inflammatory condition that affects the cornea and has been linked to exposure to ultraviolet rays. It can be compared to sunburn, except that it affects the eyes rather than the skin. Unsurprisingly, it can be very painful, causing swelling, redness, sensitivity to light, headaches, and more. The condition usually goes away on its own, but in rare cases, patients can experience vision changes.

Macular degeneration. Also known as AMD or age-related macular degeneration, this condition typically occurs in older people. However, research has discovered that excessive UV exposure can cause it to develop earlier. AMD is characterized by the deterioration of the cells of a part of the retina called the macular, which enables us to see fine details that set some objects and people apart from others. It is also responsible for color vision. When the cells die, patients don’t lose their sight, but they do find certain day to day visual tasks progressively harder – such as reading, watching tv, driving, and recognizing people.

Cataracts. Cataracts are also considered to be an eye condition primarily affecting older people, but again, research has found that failing to protect our eyes from persistent UV exposure could increase our risk of being affected by them. Cataracts are patches of clouding in our vision that occur when proteins that are found in the natural lens of the eye clump together. Initially, patients will experience a vision that is similar to looking through frosted glass. However, cataracts are progressive and over time, they can severely compromise patient vision and even lead to blindness. Surgery to replace the lens can be carried out but wearing adequate eye protection could slow and even prevent their development.
 

Preventing UV damage

Luckily, it is fairly easy to prevent our eyes from being damaged by UV radiation. The best of doing this is by remembering to wear sunglasses when we leave the house. We should even wear them on cloudy days, as experts agree that as much of 80% of UV radiation can penetrate cloud cover. Choose sunglasses that have been tested to show that they are effective against 95-100% of UV light – they should have a sticker or label to confirm this.

In addition to wearing sunglasses, if it is particularly bright and sunny, you may also want to wear a hat with a wide brim. This will help shield your eyes from the brightness and prevent UV light from creeping in over the brow of your sunglasses.

For more information about the damage that can be caused by UV exposure and the importance of protecting your eyes, don’t hesitate to speak to our experienced eyecare team.